Industrial Automation and Robotics

This course introduces students to foundational electrical and electronic concepts essential to automation. Topics include basic electrical theory, Ohm’s Law, AC/DC systems, wiring schematics, and circuit analysis. Students gain practical experience using multimeters, assembling circuits, interpreting electrical drawings, and troubleshooting common electrical faults in industrial settings. Emphasis is placed on electrical safety, component identification, and compliance with industrial standards. By the end of the course, students will be able to diagnose issues, replace faulty components, and ensure operational safety in automated environments.

Students gain in-depth knowledge of PLCs, focusing on hardware configuration, ladder logic programming, and real-time simulation. They develop control sequences for conveyors, robotic arms, and industrial processes using I/O modules and function blocks. The course also explores advanced topics such as timers, counters, and analog inputs/outputs. Troubleshooting, code documentation, and integration with SCADA/HMI systems are emphasized. Students work with industry simulation software to test and deploy their PLC logic in practical lab settings.

This course explores a wide variety of industrial sensors and instrumentation used in modern process control systems. Students work with proximity and photoelectric sensors, flow meters, thermocouples, and pressure transducers. They calibrate and interpret sensor outputs and design feedback systems using PID controllers. Analog and digital signal conditioning, noise reduction, and real-time monitoring strategies are also discussed. Lab sessions focus on integrating sensors with PLCs and optimizing control loops for industrial scenarios.

Students are introduced to robotic automation through coordinate geometry, motion planning, and robotic programming. Robot types including articulated, SCARA, and Cartesian models are analyzed for real-world suitability. Kinematic equations, velocity mapping, and path planning techniques are explored through both theory and hands-on simulations. Emphasis is placed on robotic safety, task optimization, and deployment within industrial cells. Projects involve designing robotic workflows and troubleshooting task inefficiencies in simulated environments.

This course examines the communication systems that enable automation devices to exchange data. Students learn to implement protocols like Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, and CANbus across various topologies. The course covers network addressing, latency reduction, bandwidth optimization, and diagnostic tools. Through labs, students design network architectures that connect PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems while ensuring secure and efficient data transmission. Emphasis is placed on practical troubleshooting and device configuration.

Students explore the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software elements in automation. They study actuators, gear trains, servo and stepper motors, solenoids, and power transmission systems. Through hands-on lab work, they construct and troubleshoot mechatronic systems, interpret technical diagrams, and understand the physical dynamics of machines. Emphasis is placed on energy conversion, feedback systems, and synchronization of components in automated manufacturing processes.

This course covers control engineering principles including feedback loops, system response, stability, and mathematical modeling. Students use simulation tools to model real-world automation scenarios, including transfer functions and root locus analysis. Topics include PID tuning, logic control, and feedforward strategies. Learners evaluate system performance under variable conditions and apply optimization techniques to enhance accuracy and stability in automation systems.

Students develop interactive HMI screens and configure SCADA systems for real-time process monitoring. The course covers alarm handling, trend visualization, event logging, and remote access setup. Students work with industry-standard SCADA software to simulate complex process industries such as water treatment and manufacturing. System security, operator usability, and integration with PLCs and sensor networks are key areas of focus.

This course introduces students to the principles of industrial vision systems and smart sensors. They learn about lighting setups, lens selection, object recognition, and integration of vision systems into automation workflows. Use cases such as barcode scanning, defect detection, and robot guidance are explored. Students also program smart sensors with embedded intelligence for adaptive process control and efficiency gains.

In this culminating project, students work independently or in teams to design and implement a comprehensive industrial automation solution. Drawing on skills from throughout the program, they create systems involving PLCs, SCADA, robotics, and sensors. Students document system design, code, testing, and evaluation procedures. Projects are presented to instructors and peers, demonstrating the student’s ability to manage automation projects from conception to execution while meeting safety, quality, and efficiency standards.